The San Francisco 49ers have a big challenge ahead of them this weekend, as they’ll face the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday in a big divisional game.
So far this season, the 49ers are 3-0
in the division, beating the Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Arizona Cardinals on the first go around. Now, it’s time to face their divisional rivals a second time, with the Rams coming up this weekend before a trip to Arizona next weekend.
It’s been a wildly competitive NFC West this year, with the Rams and Seahawks at the top with a 6-2 record. The 49ers are right there with a 6-3 record and have the competitive advantage with their division record. That could improve this weekend if San Francisco can get it done, but they’ll be facing one of the best teams in the NFL while dealing with injuries.
It’ll be a much different 49ers defense this time around, as injuries have ravaged the unit. San Francisco could be dealing with even more issues, as several defensive linemen hit the injury report on Thursday. So, it’ll be a tough challenge for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who has had much to juggle this season while dealing with personnel issues.
The 49ers have really struggled to get pressure on teams this season, especially after Nick Bosa’s season-ending injury. That prompted Saleh to go with a more aggressive approach two weeks ago against the Houston Texans, which didn’t work out as C.J. Stroud had his best game of the season.
“Every game plan is different,” Saleh said on Thursday. “We tried to be aggressive with Houston, and it didn’t quite work out. We tried to do our best to make the rookie play quarterback [against the New York Giants], and it worked out. Some days will be good, some days not so much.
“This game plan is going to be specific to the Rams and Stafford and what we’ve got to get done in that regard. They’re going to challenge you. Schematically, they’re a tremendous challenge. It’s a big-time cat-and-mouse game, but we’re going to do the best we can to put together the best game plan for that particular team. But, always toe the line of what our guys are capable of executing. Then we’re going to roll it out on Sunday and evaluate on Monday.”
Saleh has had to change things up while dealing with a defense that is playing several first and second-year players. So, he’s learning the balance of trying to game plan for each opponent, while keeping things simplified enough for his defense.
“We’re always going to push the envelope,” Saleh continued. “I wish I can get Houston back because I felt like I probably nudged it a little bit too far. Last week, I thought they did a great job of executing the defense. Up until those last two drives, I thought we played a really solid game, clean game. This week, it’s no different. You’re going to try to push the envelope, but always try to find balance.
“We, as a coaching staff, are learning our players. They’re learning us. I think that evolution, like we talked about today, the objective is to continually get better and to master our techniques and be deliberate in everything we do. We don’t do a lot, and because we don’t do a lot, we can focus more on our technique and fundamentals. Usually at the end of the year, that’s what takes over in the League, in my opinion, are the people who can execute the best, play fundamentally sound the best and play the fastest are usually the ones who are surging towards the end of the year. And that’s what our goal is.”
It will be a tough challenge with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford playing at an MVP level and the defense reeling from injuries. But, the 49ers were able to get it done earlier in the season in a big upset. Let’s see if they can pull off another big victory on Sunday.
